ADHD Assessments - Can You Get a Private ADHD Diagnosis?

People with adult ADHD are being diagnosed on the NHS by unreliable video call assessments in private clinics, as reported today in BBC Panorama. This is unfortunate especially as NICE guidelines require rigor by trained, licensed healthcare professionals.

If your GP refers to you for a NHS assessment in England the UK, you are legally entitled to a Right to Choose (RTC) to choose the healthcare provider who will assess you. Learn more about this here.

What is an ADHD assessment?

You could be suspecting ADHD If you or your child is experiencing difficulties at home, at school or at work. A healthcare professional should conduct an extensive evaluation to determine if your child is suffering from ADHD. This includes a psychologist or psychiatrist, and usually the child's doctor. Some healthcare providers offer online tests that test for ADHD symptoms, but they can be misleading and don't make a diagnosis.

Before a doctor's evaluation is completed, he will meet with you and the other people who are involved in the life of your child like teachers and daycare workers. They will inquire about your child's behavior, and how often it happens. The doctor may also ask about any other medical conditions which could cause similar symptoms. This includes sleep apnea and thyroid conditions.

The doctor will also likely conduct a variety of tests specifically designed to identify ADHD. This includes a continuous performance assessment and a behavioral evaluation of ADHD. These tests determine how long it takes a subject to activate his "micro switch" in response to a visual cue or audio cue, and how many of their responses are "Omission errors", which indicate inattention. The amount of errors caused by omissions corresponds to the severity of ADHD.

Psychologists and psychiatrists can also ask some additional questions regarding their client's life and family background. Some will use checklists to detect ADHD symptoms for both children and adults. In most cases, the clinician will rely on their experience in the field to determine which questions are helpful.

When you undergo an ADHD assessment, it is important to remember that there aren't easy and quick answers. Even private adhd assessment adult are unable to identify it in their patients. This is why it's important to receive a thorough, comprehensive assessment by a qualified mental health expert. To find an expert, you can try calling a local chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness or CHADD and soliciting recommendations. You may also request a referral from your GP or utilize the NHS Right to Choose scheme.

What is an Psychiatrist Assessment?

A psychiatrist assessment is a series of questions, observations, and tests conducted by a trained psychiatrist. It is designed to help them determine what kind of mental health issue you might be suffering from and how to treat it.

The psychiatrist will first assess your symptoms and check that there are no other physical causes. You'll be asked a series questions about your mood and the things you've been doing lately. They might also inquire about any mental illnesses in your family. They will also look at your current medication and how they are effective for you. They may also take into account your lifestyle and any other factors that may affect how you feel.

A psychiatric examination typically lasts between 60 and 90 minutes. The doctor will be paying close attention to your symptoms and how they impact your daily life. They will consider any other issues that you may have in your home and work life, how often you sleep and whether you are able to focus on your work or study. They will also take into account your general health and any alcohol or drugs you consume in addition to any recent events which may affect your mental health.

Then, they will test your ability to focus on, remember and apply mental reasoning. They will also be observing your body language, the way you speak and how irritable or aggressive you can be. They will also be paying attention to the quality of your eyesight and hearing.

In hospitals the psychiatric evaluation will typically be multidisciplinary, involving participation from a variety of healthcare professionals. This may include an evaluation by nurses (which examines the risk of self-harm and aggression and suicide) and a physical screening and an observational exam by the nurse.

You might feel that some of the questions asked during an assessment of your mental health are intruding or even invasive however, you must answer the questions honestly and accurately to receive a reliable diagnosis. If you aren't sure that your mental health care providers are providing the appropriate treatment for you, you should consult your doctor or care co-ordinator about getting an opinion from another medical professional. If they are unable to help, local charities or volunteer groups may be able to.

How can I obtain an Psychiatrist assessment?

You can obtain a private diagnosis of ADHD if you meet a set of criteria, are recommended by your doctor and are willing pay for the test. The process is streamlined and quicker than the NHS. It is worth checking whether the private service you select requires an GP referral letter - some do, while others don't.


If you are trying to determine if you suffer from ADHD as an Adult It is essential to make sure that the doctor who will be conducting the test has experience working with this condition in adults. There is an increasing awareness of the fact that some medical professionals have preconceived ideas regarding what a person suffering from ADHD looks like, and these prejudices can hinder people from being considered seriously when seeking an assessment. Psychiatrists who specialise in adult ADHD are trained to be aware of these issues and provide an accurate and reliable diagnosis.

During the appointment you will be asked about your symptoms and how they affect your daily life. The test will consist of an in-depth interview with a psychiatrist as well as some tests. These could include online tests, a medical interview, and the submission of a variety of validated tests.

The psychiatrist will present you with complete report following the assessment. The report will include their recommendations. They will explain the benefits of taking medication, if needed and recommend a suitable treatment strategy. They will also recommend any other non-medical strategies for managing your condition that you might find helpful. Many private assessment providers have the "shared care agreement" with GPs to prescribe medication (meaning that you pay the NHS prescription fee instead of the private fee). It is important to check carefully as some GPs might not prescribe medication if a private diagnosis has been obtained.

If you'd like to be assessed for adult ADHD, you can use our easy ADHD diagnostic assessments and have the results sent to your GP within 2 weeks. Our team is an expert in ADHD, and has a track record of helping patients get the treatment they need. Click here for more information or to schedule an assessment.

How do I get a psychiatrist's diagnosis?

The first step is to make an appointment with your GP and tell them why you think you may be suffering from ADHD. If your GP is willing to refer you and takes you seriously, they should put you on the NHS wait list for an ADHD assessment. This should include a clinical interview with a psychiatrist, and, ideally, psychological tests. It could also include asking a close family member, or friend to complete a questionnaire regarding their perception of your behavior.

This information will be used by your physician to conduct a thorough clinical assessment. This typically involves an extensive discussion with you. It is usually beneficial to have someone else in the room to provide support, but it's not required. They will want to see evidence that you have the right criteria to receive an ADHD diagnosis. This will be determined by the results of a psychiatric assessment and their medical expertise. They will examine your symptoms and the impact they've affected you over time. They will also inquire about your past and whether there are any other mental health issues that you may have.

After the evaluation your doctor will provide advice on the best treatment plan. It could include the continuation of your private care with the diagnostic doctor or a shared care arrangement between your GP and your private healthcare provider, or a referral back to your GP to obtain medication prescriptions. Your psychiatrist should go over all of these options with you, and should give you plenty of time to consider what is right for you.

If your consultant doesn't give you an ADHD diagnosis and explains the reason. This could be because they don't think you have ADHD or believe that a different diagnosis is more appropriate based on the specifics of your situation. You can request an opinion from a different NHS psychiatrist through the "Right to Choose" pathway. However, you'll need to consult your GP to assist you in applying to the local ICB to receive the funding.

You can also have an ADHD assessment through a private mental health service, such as Priory hospitals or wellbeing centers. It is generally more expensive, but can be much faster. You can also see a psychologist who can diagnose ADHD but is not permitted to prescribe medications.